Transfer and transfer composition



Patented 'Feb. 28, 1933 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE, v

WIN'IHROP STANLEY LAWRENCE, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO KAUMA- GRAPH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 01 NEW YORK TRANSFER AND 'rnnnsran comrosrrlon No Drawing.

My invention relates to a new and improved transfer and a new and improved transfer composition.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved transfer and transfer composition containing a cellulose derivative.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved transfer composition and transfer comprising a resin and a cellulose derivative.

Other objects of my invention will be set forth in the following description which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention, it being understood that the above general statement of the objects of my invention is intended merely to generally explain the same and not to limit it in any manner.

Many transfer compositions are madeof a fusible substance such as an artificial or natural resin, which is combined-with other substances such as waxes, vegetable oils and the like to render the fusible substance soft and flexible. For certain purposes it is desirable to have a transfer inkutilized for making the transfer on its paper base, which is more infusible than the well known fusible ,com-

positions heretofore employed. For example, a decalcomania provides a flat non-pene trating mark upon a fabric which is very clearly visible because the decalcomania composition has high masking power. The ordinary fusible composition which is printed by means of a suitable intaglio method upon a paper base to make a transfer, is so fluid when it is heated that it penetrates the goods to an undesirable extent. In making indelibleotransfers and in certan cases where the color of the goods sharply contrasts with the the color of the transfer marking it is desirable to make the transfer of a fusible comp0- sition which penetrates the goods. However, for many purposes it is desirable to utilize a transfer which does not penetrate the goods. It has been heretofore attempted to combine a fusible composition with an oxidizable oil, which becomes gummy when the transfer is allowed to stand in the air. However, since this requires a substantially long period of time and since the effect varies during the in- Application filed June 26,

1928. Serial No. 288,537.

and whitish particles. I believe the difference in color between the particles of this commercial product depends upon the degree of ethylatio-n. The ethylated product can be readily distinguished from the nitrate because cellulose nltrate appears in commerce in the form of filaments. Likewise, the ethyl cellulose differs from the cellulose acetate in that the ethyl cellulose particles are harder and form less of a pulpy mass. Likewise, the ethyl cellulose can be dissolved in numerous solvents in which neither the cellulose acetate and the cellulose nitrate are soluble, such as xylol and other benzyl derivatives, such as toluol for example. The product which is sold under the trade name of benzyl cellulose has substantially the same physical and chemical properties as the ethyl cellulose save that the benzyl cellulose powder consists of relatively large coarse particles intermixed with finer particles, and it is not as desirable for some of the purposes of my invention as the ethyl cellulose. When the dry and solid ethyl cellulose and the benzyl cellulose are-heated, they begin to soften at about 150 C. but they then begin to decompose so that it is not possible to liquefy these products without decomposing them.

However, these substances can be heated to all ordinary temperatures without decomposing and without melting.'

These preferred substances can be combined in varying proportions with the fusible substances such as the resins, so that the fusibility of the final'mixed product can be regulated. Likewise, these preferred cellulose derivatives are soluble in a great many solvents having high boiling points such as the substance sold under the trade name of lindol and other plasticizers. Lindol consists essentially of tri-cresyl phosphate.

It is no necessary for the urposes of my invention to intermix or combine these preferred cellulose derivatives with a resin. By intermixing these preferred cellulose derivatives with a suflicient large proportion of a suitable plasticizer, such as lmdol for example, and a sufiicient quantity of relatively volatile solvent, an extremely flexible marking composition and transfer can be secured, which has high penetrative power but is ex tremely flexible, much more flexible than the resin compositions heretofore employed. That is, while one of the desirable results secured by using the preferred cellulose derivatives is a composition having a low penetrative power and a highmixing power, my invention is not restricted thereto as these derivatives can be utilized for making an extremely flexible transfer having high penetrative power.

To make a transfer havin a high penetrative power and which will a so be very flexible, I could for example, intermix 10 parts of the ethyl cellulose with from 12 to 13 parts of lindol and from 20 to 30 parts of ethyl lactate, the above proportions being by weight. The ethyl lactate forms a volatile solvent for the ethyl cellulose and the lindol so that when the transfer is printed upon a paper base for example, the ethyl lactate readily evaporates leaving the flexible transfer marking upon the paper base of the transfer. When the transfer marking is released from its paper base by means of an ordinary hot iron, the marking readily penetrates the fabric or the like, and the im pression is extremely flexible. To print directly upon a fabric I prefer to have a more fluid ink, since printing on a transfer base is usually accomplished by an intaglio process, and I would prefer to use surface or relief printing for printing directly on a fabric. Hence, for direct printing on a fabric I would prefer to use more ethyl lactate so as to form an ink that can be spread readily upon the type or the like.

Likewise, compositions can be produced which can be rinted by using a solvent having a high bolling point, as the solvent will evaporate within a relatively short time after the transfer is allowed to stand. Likewise, such compositions are relatively quite infusible, if a sufliciently small proportion of the fusible substance is utilized. Such compositions can either be printed hot, by using a solvent having a very high boiling point which will not evaporate during the printing process although the solvent will finally disappear if the transfer is allowed to stand. Likewise, such compositions can be printed without the use of heat, by using a solvent having a relatively low boiling point. The

resultin composition will melt sufiiciently to enab e itto be released from the transfer base when a hot iron is applied in the ordi nary manner but the'composition is sufiiciently infuslble to prevent it from being lost in the fabric. The novelcompositions made according to my invention can be used for making designs on fibrous materials such as wood, paper or the like, in addition to fabrics. The transfers made according to my invention do not change when they age upon the paper, if they are not combined wlth materials affected by the air. standardized product can be secured, which can be stored for long periods of time without serious deterioration.

It has heretofore been roposed, as for example, in U. S. Patent 0. 1,596,545, issued August 17th, 1926 to combine cellulose acetate with butyl tartrate, but the cellulose acetate cannot be readily combined in any substantial proportion with other substances Hence a stableof a fusible nature, whereas the ethyl cellulose for example can be readily combined with most resins and oils.-

While I do not wish to be limited to the details of the example of my invention set forth below, this example is illustrative for the production of a gold transfer which will dup icate the efl'ect of a decalcomania.

15- parts of ethyl cellulose 10 parts of ethyl abietate, which is a viscous liquid 10 parts of cumar (varnish grade) which has a melting point of about 120 C.

v 10 parts of processed castor oil (prepared by blowing air through the castor oil to thicken same) 15 parts of gold bronze 15 parts of carbitol.

The above mentioned proportions are by weight.

After ageing on paper for a day or two, this composition gives a very solid transfer for hosiery and similar products, and the transfer is very full and sharp. Suitable pigments could also be included in the composition instead of the gold bronze, and the resulting transfer upon the hosiery or the like is flexible and soft. A much superior result is secured over ordinary resinous compositions, as such ordinary resinous compositions are relatively harsh and rigid. Likewise, if desired, soluble dyes could be used as coloring matter in a composition of the improved type, thus producing a transparent mark which is washable and resembles a direct print. I prefer to use the ethyl cellulose due to its fineness and softness, instead of the benzyl derivative although the latter is just as good in other respects and is to be considered as an equivalent for the ethyl cellulose. Ethyl cellulose and benzyl cellulose are cellulose ethers.

Since the designs transferred by means of these compositions are flexible and adherent, they are permanent and give a superior solid and brilliant appearance. The composition is very simply made by heating and intermixing the ingredients above mentioned, (save for the ethyl cellulose) and then adding the ethyl cellulose after a uniform mixture has been made of the other ingredients. However, if desired the composition could be made by heating and mixing all the ingredients above mentioned. The temperature of the mixture should be kept below the boiling oint of the carbitol as this is the solvent previously mentioned, which has the high boiling point. The name carbitol is the trade name given to the mono-ethyl-ether of diethylene glycol. The ethyl abietate is a plasticizing material which can be used in place of the lindol above mentioned. The castor oil is not affected when the air is blown therethrough, save that the blowing produces an oil of very high viscosity, so that the composition previously specified has high viscosity.

The cellulose acetate specified in U. S. Patent No. 1,596,545 when used alone, does not form a film intermixed with a resin or resins, whereas, the ethyl cellulose products previously mentioned can be intermixed with most resins to form films. Likewise, the ethyl cellulose products are soluble in many hydrocarbon solvents, in which the cellulose acetate is completely insoluble.

In the improved composition previous'y specified, the ethyl cellulose is suspended in a liquid so that the liquid composition can be heated up to about 300 C. without decomposing the ethyl cellulose (or the benzyl cellulose). At this temperature of 300 (3., a composition of the type specified becomes a thick viscous liquid. the liquid being so viscous that it resembles a plastic substance lose derivatives.

more than it resembles a liquid- The composition can be printed by means of the ordinary intaglio method and it finally forms a dry and fusible marking which can be melted at a relatively low temperature by means of an ordinary hot flat iron, so that it is possible to print by means of the composition upon a paper base and to utilize a transfer having such paper base without being compelled to apply excessive heat in. Irgrder to release the marking from the paper ase.

For the purpose of the description and the claims it is to be understood that I am not limited to ethyl cellulose or to benzyl cellulose and that whenever I refer to ethyl cellulose both in the description and the claims, that I include corresponding cellu- These preferred derivaties include those which can be heated until they soften to become thick viscous substances, without any substantial decomposition.

I have shown a preferred embodiment. of

my invention, but it is clear thatnumerous changes and omissions could be made without departing from its spirit.

Obvious equivalents for the substances specified herein will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A solid and fusible transfer composition containing resinous material and a material selected from the group consisting of ethyl cellulose and benzyl cellulose.

2. A solid and fusible transfer composition comprising resinous material, a material selected from the group consisting of ethyl cellulose and benzyl cellulose, a blown oil, and coloring matter.

3. A transfer comprising a paper base having a marking formed from a. solid and fusible transfer composition on its surface, said composition including resinous material and a material selectedfrom the group consisting of ethyl cellulose and benzyl cellulose, said marking beingreleasable from the paper base.

under the influence of heat, said marking containing a greater portion of said selected cellulose material than of the resinous material.

4. A transfer comprising a paper base having a solid and fusible marking thereon, said marking being made from a composition which includes a material selected from the group consisting of ethyl cellulose and benzyl cellulose, and said composition also including an additional substance selected from the group consisting of resin and blown oil and tri-cresyl phosphate and ethyl abietate, said additional substance lowering the melting point of said selected material so that the marking is released from the paper base un-' der the action of dry heat and without the decomposition of said selected material.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WINTHROP STANLEY LAWRENCE. 

